As King’s students started the new school year, they noticed that new things are popping up and old things are being brought down around campus. Some of the changes include the new Founders Lane walkway and a finished Holy Cross Hall. Other changes are the demolition of the old book store and the parkade, both located on Main Street.
The biggest and most anticipated project that was announced last May and is now underway with the demolition phase is the North Main Street Gateway Project. The new four story building will replace the old Corcoran and MacIntosh buildings and also Rodanos. The newest addition to campus will include new student housing, a child care facility and retail space.
The $19.4 million project is being financed by Radnor Property Group and is scheduled to be finished by the start of the 2009-2010 academic year. The top three floors will be equipped with modern student apartments. These apartments will be four bedroom suites with two full bathrooms, a shared living room and kitchen. The apartments will be an addition to on-campus housing and will be run in the same fashion as the existing on-campus apartments.
The first floor will contain a place for retail stores and also a child care facility. The child care facility will be also be used as a learning tool for the college equipped with classrooms for the Early Learning Educational Program. It is expected that the new building will bring between 25 and 30 new jobs.
“This new development will not only accommodate a significant need we have in providing new student housing, but will also service the community and King’s with a new childcare facility and retail space while at the same time being a meaningful learning environment for our students enrolled in our Early Learning Educational Program,” King’s College President Father Thomas O’Hara said.
A private developer, Radnor Property Group LLC, and Kinship Square, a local non-profit corporation organized to benefit the North Wilkes-Barre community, are teaming up for the revitalization of the properties. Kinship Square purchased the Corcoran and MacIntosh buildings from City Vest earlier this year. The two buildings have been vacant since 1995. Rodano’s restaurant and bar is relocating to Public Square.
Kinship Square was formed in October of 2006 with the purpose of developing six blocks on the east side of the city from North Main to Pennsylvania Blvd.
“We felt that it was a forgotten part of the city” explained Dave Salingo, Board Chair of Kinship Square, “We are excited to team up with Radnor Property Group for this major urban infill project adjacent to campus.”
Radnor Property Group is based out of Wayne, PA. They have been involved in projects similar to the North Main Street Gateway Project in places such as Lancaster PA, and are currently in negotiations with Bucknell University.
“We are extremely grateful to Kinship Square and King’s College for providing the leadership required to make the North Main Street Gateway project a reality,” indicated David Yeager, President of Radnor Property Group. “Urban infill projects involving blighted properties are extremely complex and often times depend on the vision and commitment of those involved. We look forward to working with Kinship, King’s and the City of Wilkes-Barre in bringing this project to fruition.” |
